An extract of pomegranate peels and seeds completely soluble in water, obtained through an innovative, green, efficient and scalable technique up to industrial production capacities, proves effective in the treatment of hypertension, both acute and chronic.
This is demonstrated by in vivo research conducted on a mouse model, published in Nutrients and carried out by researchers from the Institute for Bioeconomy of the CNR in Florence and the University of Pisa.
The extraction of pomegranate juice generates non-edible by-products, peels and seeds, equal to 60% of the weight of the fruit, which are available in large quantities and have long been known for their healthy properties, largely due to the so-called ellagitannins, in particular punicalagin and ellagic acid.
"Until now - underlines Francesco Meneguzzo, Cnr-Ibe researcher - the recovery and valorization of these by-products have been hindered by the lack of an adequate extraction technique, capable of returning a product that is completely soluble in water and safer for the body The application of hydrodynamic cavitation made it possible to extract a large quantity of pomegranate peels and seeds in water alone, at low temperature and in a few minutes, with very limited energy consumption, resulting in a completely soluble product."
The study involved the administration of the extract orally in spontaneously hypertensive mice.
"After administration - states Lara Testai of the University of Pisa - the results demonstrated good intestinal bioaccessibility and the ability to effectively counteract the increase in pressure in an experimental model of hypertension, improving dysfunction and reducing the thickness of the endothelium ".
Furthermore, "the administration of pomegranate extract demonstrated important effects on the heart, because it allowed the levels of cytokines to be lowered".
The results of the study could also contribute to increasing the value of the pomegranate supply chain and reducing the environmental impact associated with the related by-products.
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